Saturday, December 29, 2007

R.I.P. Roby Duke

I was just listening to one of my favorite albums, “Not The Same.” Roby Duke has quite a comprehensive collection of music, including his 2004 release, “Ghost.”

Then, I hear from a colleague that Roby suddenly and unexpectedly exited the planet. Immediately I went into disbelief. There was nothing on Google or anything.

Then, finally, I got the following from Bob Bennett and Terry Clark:

Roby Duke - Sudden Departure

10:46 PM PSTPaso Robles, CA

I’m away from home until Sunday afternoon. This morning I got sad wordthat my friend Roby Duke died suddenly (details are forthcoming, but itappears it may have happened on Wednesday and discovered late Thursdaynight). I've been excitedly telling folks for weeks the plans Roby and Ihad to collaborate on a Christmas album for Fall 2008. I have always hadgreat admiration and love for him ... for his music and as a fellowtraveler. In times like these, I am most afraid of saying somethingstupid, something shopworn, some pseudo-spiritual platitude tossed outcarelessly. It might be a spot of pride on my part, but also the notionthat I don't want to cheapen or minimize the difficulty of such a suddenand, by human horizontal-view standards, a tragic loss as this. I willonly say again that I dearly loved this man. If you have heard him orever met him, chances are very good you feel the same. Shortly after Ifound out, it was my difficult task (self-appointed, but necessary) tocall Terry Clark about this ... later in the day he and his wife Nancywrote a much more lucid and God-in-view response than I can manage here:

Dear Catalyst Family,

Our dear friend, Roby Duke, has preceded us into the presence of ourSavior, after a sudden heart attack yesterday, December 27, 2007.

We want to honor Roby and thank God for the life of sacrifice andservice that was itself a treasure given to those who knew him andthousands of people who heard his music. He deeply impacted our livesand we are eternally grateful.

Since 1993, Roby’s genius has been responsible for the production of UGada No, Love Heals, This Christmas, Only Believe and The PRIZE. Duringthose years we have become brothers.

We were so blessed to have been with him for his birthday earlier thismonth, then again last Sunday as we played together at Calvary Chapel inThousand Oaks, CA. He kept glancing over at me as he sang his finalsong, “I Shall See God,”" as if to assure me that he fully believed whathe was singing like never before. It was such a sweet and powerfulmoment as the whole congregation echoed over and over, "I shall see Him,touch His face."

Thanks, Lord, for loaning Roby to us for a little while. It was way tooshort, it seemed we had so much more to do. But we are absolutely sureYou know how to perfectly satisfy the deepest longings of our hearts.You've welcomed him personally to do exactly what he has been singingabout for as long as we've known him.